Wheelchairs may not look delicate, but they can malfunction if not properly stored. Below are some of the tips you can use to protect wheelchairs during storage.

Clean and Dry the Wheelchairs

You need to clean and dry the battery before storing it. Storing a dirty wheelchair means the dirt will attract moisture and trigger corrosion. The dirt might also set too hard on the wheelchair and be difficult to get rid of at the end of storage. Follow the manufacturer's guideline on cleaning the wheelchair, especially if it has been a long time since you cleaned your unit. In fact, nearly everything needs to be cleaned and dried before storage for the same reasons.

Fold the Wheelchairs

If the wheelchair is foldable, you should fold it up and store it in that state. For one, storing a wheelchair in a folded state ensures that the wheelchair occupies the least space possible, which is good for your pocket since storage rent is charged per square foot. Secondly, storing a folded wheelchair reduces its risk of damage since it reduces the number of parts or points that stick out.

Detach Removable Parts

Many wheelchairs come with removable parts or accessories that you can detach. Remove such parts and store them separately. Again, this reduces the effective space the wheelchair occupies and it also helps to keep the accessories safe.  Things like removable armrests, cushions, or postural devices are best protected when stored separately from the wheelchair.

Use Vertical Storage

Storing multiple wheelchairs can occupy quite a bit of space. If the wheelchairs are not the only things you want to store, you can create more space for the other items by keeping the wheelchairs in the vertical space. This involves hanging the wheelchairs either on the ceiling or on the walls. Hanging the wheelchairs also helps to protect the tires, especially if they are pneumatic (air-filled) tires that can deform (due to the weight of the wheelchair).

Keep the Battery Charged

Lastly, in the case of a motorized wheelchair, you should disconnect the battery and charge it before storage to protect it. Note that the battery will discharge over time, so you should recharge it periodically in the case of long-term storage.

Hopefully, the tips above will help you protect your wheelchairs during storage. Wheelchairs are not exactly cheap so you should ensure you choose a secure storage facility for them. Ask the storage facility manager for an overview of their security measures so as to select the best storage unit rental.